acme

American  

[ak-mee] / ˈæk mi /

noun

1. the highest point; summit; peak.

   The empire was at the acme of its power.

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acme British  

/ ˈækmɪ /

noun

1. the culminating point, as of achievement or excellence; summit; peak

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Other Word Forms

• acmatic adjective
• acmic adjective

Etymology

Origin of acme

First recorded in 1560–70, from Greek akmḗ “point, highest point, extremity”

Example Sentences

The 65-year gap between the song’s original release and its acme position is the longest in history, according to Billboard.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2023

While he took issue at the time with being labeled as a "male Carole King," Rundgren's double-album was released at the acme of the singer-songwriter era.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2022

“This will be the acme of Pax Sinica,” he said.

From Washington Times • Jan. 10, 2022

“I devote myself to the acme of emptiness,” says another.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2021

I should like to print what, after long consultation, the five guides of Port Said—which is a place a half-mile across, and with which they were naturally acquainted—offered me as the acme of riotous dissipation.

From The Rulers of the Mediterranean by Davis, Richard Harding